Canada Research Chair in Agriculture and Environment

Land acknowledgement

• As environmental scientists we focus on the health and function of the environment
• Agriculture is tied to colonialism and has contributed to the loss and degradation of land held by Indigenous peoples
• We work, learn, educate, and conduct research on traditional territories
• The land, including the soil, water, air, and plants and animals, we appreciate so much also includes the history of its people
• Brandon University, and the surrounding area, are the traditional homelands of the Dakota, Anishinabek, Oji-Cree, Cree, Dene and Metis peoples

Why Agriculture and Environment

• Agriculture is a major source of food, fibre, and fuel
• 7% of our total land area
  • 80% situated in the prairie region
• Cash receipts totalling more $90 billion (Stats Can)

Proportion of agricultural land in Canada (AEI, 2011)

Why Agriculture and Environment

• Environmental impacts on and from agriculture
  • Environmental conditions, risks, and changes resulting from agriculture and management practices (Agri-environmental Indicators)

Soil Quality Compound Index (AEI, 2011)

Background

• Terms like regenerative/sustainable agriculture and soil/plant health are being used more frequently
  • Recognizes the importance and desire to view agriculture as more than the sum of its parts
  • Intersection of the four spheres

My Approach

Why Agriculture and Environment

• Agroecosystems and Development - Marney Isaac
• Agri-Food and Sustainable Agriculture - Zoë Migicovsky
• Sustainable Animal Protein - Marie-Pierre Létourneau Montminy
• Data Science for Sustainable Global Food Systems - Navin Ramankutty

Uniqueness of Agriculture and Environment

Environmental impacts on and from agriculture

5-year Plan

Objective 1: Name and brand the research group

• Named for a shared objective/goal
  • ‘bigger and better’ than just me (Britton, 2018)
• Create a logo
• Create accompanying website

Objective 5: Write a research group manual

• Will use the Faylab Lab Manual as a template
  • Code of conduct
  • Expectations
  • On- and off-boarding
  • Available resources

5-year Plan

Objective 3: Develop research network

• Funding agencies are looking for multi- and inter-disciplinary projects
• Identify needed expertise
  • Academic institutions
  • Government
  • NGO’s
  • Indigenous groups
  • Industry

5-year Plan

Objective 6: Developing relationships with Indigenous groups

• Taking the time to foster meaningful relationships through trust building
  • Listen and learn
• Continued learning about decolonization, Indigenization, and reconciliation
  • Self study, community involvement, and other activities
  • Incorporate into research, teaching, and service

5-year Plan

Objective 4: Secure external funding

• Various sources will be explored
  • NSERC strategic and discovery
  • NSERC Alliance or MITACs with NGO or industry partners
  • Industry (e.g., Beef Cattle Research Council, Manitoba Crop Alliance)

5-year Plan

Objective 2: Purchase field and lab equipment

5-year Plan

Objective 7: Develop open and reproducible work flows

• From field/lab to dissemination and everything in between!
• Making the data set, methods, and interpretation:
  • Available
  • Accessible
  • Transparent
  • Reproducible

5-year Plan

Objective 7: Developing new projects

• people (research group), network & partnerships, funding, equipment, data infrastructure
• AWESOME

Brandon University Strategic Research Plan

Brandon University Mamaawiiatooshke aakihkiwiin Strategic Plan